Telephone apparatus.



y UNITED `sai-Aras 'PATENT ornrcn GARRISON BABCOCK, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SIMPLEX TELEPHONE- EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TELErnoNE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV, .1, .1910,

.Application led May 8, 1908. Serial No. 431,578.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARRIsoN BABooon, of Rochester, in the countyv of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain4 new and useful Improvements in Transmitters; and Iv do'hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawin s,forming a part of this specification, an to the` reference-numerals `marked thereon.

lations of current in a tele hone circuit, thus.

permitting speech or ot er sounds transmitted by it to be accurately and distinctly reproduced ina telephone receiver employed therewith. v l

My invention further provides va suitable holder adapted to form a handle by means of which the transmitter may be supported which isalso adapted to contain the receiver when not in use and comprises a circuit controller operated by the insertion ofthe receiver to cut the transmitter out of the battery circuit.l

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end specification.

.In the drawings Figure. 1 is a front view of a telephone set constructed in accordance With my present invention, the conductors -of the .between the transmitter and receiver being omitted. Fig. 2 is a rear View thereof. Fig. 3 represents a central vertical section of the device-shown in Fi 1, the receiver being omitted.4 Fig. 4' is a ront view of the device, the cover of the transmitter anddiaphragm being removed. Fig. 5 represents an enlarged sectidn |n the line 5"-5x of Fig. 4.

Fi 6 is a detai view ofthe front electrodes, an Fig. 7 is a detailview ofthe back electrodes. Fig. 8 is a diagram of the telephone circuit.

The devices illustrating the present embodiment of the invention relate to the general type of apparatus shown in my prior Patent No. 837,534, dated December 4th, 1906; that is tosay, the set comprising the improved transmitter and a receiver, -is

especially adapted to be carried on the person and to be used by those having defective hearing, the apparatus serving to so amplify the sound waves caused by speech that it maybe 'easily and distinctly heard bythe Aaid of the apparatus, although it will be understood, of course, that the apparatus may be used as an ordinary telephone.

The accompanying drawings show one embodiment of lthe invention whereinl designates the transmitter, and 2 the receiver, both being in the present instance,

annular in form and otherwise compact in` order tofadapt the apparatus to portable purposes, the receiver being adapted tovbe applied, when not in use, to a'suitable holder 3. lThe latter in its present form is com-A posed of a sheet of material having a portion at each end adapted to receive the transmitter and receiver, the former-bein preferably secured permanently to the older, the receiver being detachable, to enable the latter to be ap lied to the ear of the hearer, while the spealer holds the transmitter. In order to permit the receiver to be easily de# tached and applied to the holder ,and when in the latter position vfirmly retained thereon, resilient arms/l are struck up at each sidel ofthe holder to engage opposite sides of the receiver and other arms project inwardly therefromV to retain the receiver in en agement therewith. On the rear of the .ho der is secured a switch-controlling member, embodying in the present instance, a spring arm 6, formed by doubling overlthe narrowed lend of al'plate 7, which latter is concaved slightly to stiiien it longitudinally and as the concave face is placed against the holder and underlies the spring arm 6 space is provided to receive the latter when 1t is moved outwardly by the engagement of the receiver 2 with the offset portion 8 ofthe arm which is adapted -to project through the aperture 9 in the 'holder. The plate 7 is provided at each side of. one end with ears 1Q through which the securing devices or rivets 11 may be passed, hsaid devioes'also serving as the means for securing the transmitter to the holder.

The transmitter comprises a cup-shaped casing having a bottom 12 and annular side walls y13 on which is supported a dirk diaphragm 33 of mica or other suitable material which is retained by the rim 14 on the perforated cap 15 which is preferably composed of sheet metal and is provided with a flange 16 adapted to tightly engage the periphery The ring 19 is provided with an outer edge block 25.

'21 overlying the edge of the support-17 and provided with an outwardly extending ear 22 to which may be secured the end of a contact spring 23 by a screw 24 which also serves to secure the support to an insulating The latter coperates with the block 26 to center the support 17 and both blocks being permanently secured to the casing by rivets 27 the support may be readily detached and applied. The mounting of the support 17 in the manner described, provides a simple means for securing' it within the casing without attaching it directly thereto, and as the blocks 25 an 26 are provided on their proximate ends with curved faces which engage considerable portions of the periphery of the support, the latter is prevented from lateral movement inany direction. The support 17 is vpreferably constructed of insulating material molded into the cylindrical form shown .while in a plastic condition, which enables the conductor 29 tobe embedded therein to secure the disk 18 and the flange points 21a on the ring 19 to be also embedded to secure the parts of these two electrode plates per `manently in fixed relationship.

-The block 26 is provided with two sleeves, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, and indicated by 28, which are adapted to receive the terminals or plugs on the circuit conductors, as will be understood. One of the sleeves 28 is connected directly to the center electrodeplat'e 18 by a conductor 29 and in electrical connection with the other sleeve is a spring contact arm 30 which is adapted to engage the end of the spring 23 and to he normally pressed into contact therewith by the forwardly projecting end 31;. on the spring 6 which extends through an aperture in the bottom of the casing, as shown in Fig. 3.

Coperating with the back electrode is anl other electrode 32 carried on the diaphragm 33 and secured thereto by a central post 34. The member 32 may be made of any suitable material, although it is preferably composed of sheet metal and constitutes a front electrode.

This plate is provided with a convex cen- 7o tral portion tting concentrically within thel back electrode and having a reversely curved rim which extends into. proximity with the rim 21 of the back electrode ring 19. The

front electrode is further provided with la plurality of radial slits 35 which add to its flexibility land permit the center of the electrode to move lfreely without exerting a tendency to check the vibrations of the diaphragm. The electrode being connected only The flexibility or elasticity of the or receptacle usually filled with carbon granules forming the current medium. Thel` curve given the outer; edge of the electrode 32 is just suiicient to close the space between t it and the ring plate 19 and in some instances' it may rest thereon, as in a low ten- 95 sion transmitter, but in high tension instruments a washer 36 of insulating material -willbe Vinterposed between these parts, as shown.

The eiiciency of all transmitters is im- 100 paired by the packing ofthe current modifying medium or carbon granules and in many instances the successful operation of the instrument is restricted by the position in which it is held when in use. However, by

curving Vthe electrodes in the manner'described, both of the aforementioned objections are obviated as both electrodes will always engage the carbon filling or medium between them inwhatever position the instrument is supported. i Moreover, by forming one electrode in two parts and making these parts the circuit terininals with adjacent insulatededges, a comparatively large contact area is aorded, permitting the transmission of current undulations of slight variations.

A telephone transmitter constructed in accordance with my present invention is comparatively -simple inA construction, en-

abling it to be made at a small. cost, and the construction and arrangement of its parts 'are such that the reproductions of sound are clear and of ample strength, while the battery strength required is relatively small, ,125

especially adaptingmthe instrument to portable purposes, although it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. Moreover, the automatic devices for placing the apparatus in-speaking`conditi0n by the ma- 130 nipulationof the receiver, and through the same agency, opening the batteryy circuit serves to economize the batteryenergy, and furthermore, enables the apparatus' 'to be used successfully by those having little if any knowledge of devices of this kind, and the compact construction and arrangement of the parts especially adapts the device to the needs of those having impaired hearing;

I claim as my invention:

1. In a telephone transmitter, the combination with a casing and a vibratory diaphragm, of `a rigid electrode member secured to one ofthe parts, a flexible electrode member disposed in front of the rigid mem-` ber, a post connecting said iexible electrode to the other part ofthetransmitter and a current modifying medium situated ,betweenL-the electrode members.

2. In'a telephone transmitter, the'combination. with a casin and a vibratory dlaphragm, of a pair o electrodes rigidly supported at one side of the plane of the 'diaphragm and adapted to be covered by va suitable current modifying medium, an insulated electrode member supported on the diaphragm which is capable of flexing independent of the movement of said dia-y phragm for producing varying pressures on said current modifying. medium.

3. In a telephone transmitter, the combination with a support and a 'vibratorydiaphragm located in juxtaposition thereto, of a pair of electrode members one of which is rigid and is mounted on the support, "the otherl member possessing the capability of yielding and being so attached to the diaphragm that it may yield during the vibratory movements of the diaphragm and a current modifying medium located between said electrodes. A.

4. a telephone transmitter, the combi- Y nation with a casing havingl aninsulated support therein and a pair of electrode members spaced apart and mounted on said support at one side of the diaphragm, of a plate secured to one side of the latter and having anedge extending away from the diaphragm into proximity with the support and forming a receptacle in conjunction with the support and a current modifying medium lo` cated in the receptacle. j

5. In a telephone transmitter, the combination with a cup shaped casing having a rim, an insulated support therein and separate electrode plates arranged on the support, of ay diaphragm supported on the rim of casing, an electrode member lying between the diaphragm and support and having a anged ,edge extending into proximity with'said support and forming a receptacle in conjunction therewith, a' post connecting themember and diaphragm and a current modifying medium located in the receptacle;

6. In a transmitter, thecombination with conneted to the convex member an rent modifying medium varranged between the members. Y

11. In a transmitter, the-combination with a casing, vlan electrode f support arranged' therein, *blocks secured within the casing and a casing and an electrode member composed of two separate lplates having outer concave` faces, of a dlaphragm, a member supported thereon in front of the plates having its,

opposing face convex and a current modifymg medium arranged between and coperating with said plates and member.

7. Ina transmitter, the combination with Vthe concave face of said electrode member, a diaphragm, a post arranged centrally on' the convex member and connecting it to the diaphragm and a current modifying medium arranged betweensthe members.

8. In a transmitter, the combination with a casing and an electrode member arranged therein composed of two separate concave plates, of a coperat-ing convex member separated therefrom but arran ed concentrically thereto having an elastic ege extending into 'proximity with said electrode member, a diaphragm connected to the convex member and a current modifying medium arranged between the members.

9. In a transmitter, the combination' with rounding it, of aconvex member arranged concentrically to said electrdde member, a diaphragm connected thereto and a current modifying medium arranged between the members.

10. In a transmitter, the combination with a casing and an electrode member comprising a metallic disk and a metallic ring surroundin it and separated therefrom, said parts being concave, of a convex 'member arranged 'concentric to the electrode member and separated therefrom, said convex member belng provided with-an edge extending into proximity with .the electrode and provided with a. plurality of slits,`ardia hragm engaging opposite sides f the support and an electrode plate on the latter having an ear secured-to one of the blocks, of a membei` coperating with the-electrode,`a currentmodifying medium between the plate and member and a diaphragm connected to thelatter.

12. In a transmitter, the combination with ,a casing, a cylindrical electrode support arranged therein, blocks lsecured within the casing at ojposite sides thereof having their y proximate aces curved to iitthe support, and a back electrode plate mounted onthe `blocks, of a front electrode support having an ear secured to one of the coperating with said plate, a current moditying medium between the electrodes and a diaphragm con nected to the front electrode.

13. In a transmitter, the combination with a casing, a removable insulating support arranged therein and blocks secured, Within the casing and centering the support there. in, of separated electrode plates, one of which is adapted to be connected directly to one side of a telephone circuit, coperating contact springs attached to each block and adapted to be arranged in the other side of said circuit, one of said springs being connected to the other electrode plate, a diaphragm, a member thereon placed in opposition to the electrode plates and a current modifying medium located between the member and plates.

l GARRISON BABCOCK. l Witnesses:

RUSSELL B. GRIFFITH, FLORENCE E. FRANCK. 

